WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) visited the Red River Army Depot (RRAD) on Tuesday, beginning a four-day defense tour of Arkansas military installations, businesses and jobs that contribute to our national defense and the protection of our nation’s servicemembers.
“The Red River Army Depot plays a critical role in maintaining the readiness of our Army. It does an outstanding job in sustaining the Army’s fleet of tactical wheeled vehicles as well as many other platforms. I am proud of the job that the command group and all the dedicated employees at Red River are doing,” Boozman said.
During the visit Boozman met with Colonel Brandon Grubbs, Commander, Red River Army Depot and Brian Butler, Senior Executive, Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). Boozman heard the impact that Congressional budgeting, including sequestration is having on operations.
“It is our job in Congress to provide the Army with a budget and find a solution to sequestration so that installations like Red River Army Depot may properly plan for the future so that they can continue their tradition of excellence and success,” Boozman said.
Boozman was updated on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) sustainment operations that RRAD is conducting and how this is helping the Marine Corps maintain its fleet of MRAPs as well as the unique capabilities of RRAD like its rubber products division. This provides the rubber coatings for tracked vehicles which allows tanks and other tracked vehicles to drive on paved surfaces without destroying the pavement.
Boozman continues his tour in Camden with visits to Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Spectra Technologies and B&M Painting, a leading woman-owned aerospace and military coating provider. He will also visit Camp Robinson in North Little Rock and Power Technology Inc. in Alexander.
